This Military Service Page was created/owned by
MSG Robert Sneathen ( Blue Coat-3)
to remember
Purcell, Benjamin Harrison, Jr., COL USA(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Columbus
Last Address Clarksville, GA
Date of Passing Apr 02, 2013
Location of Interment Level Grove Baptist Chruch Cemetery - Carnelia, Georgia
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
His 2nd Silver Star Citation reads:
For gallantry in action: Colonel Benjamin H. Purcell, Infantry, distinguished himself by gallantry and intrepidity in action as a Prisoner of War in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in Southeast Asia during March 1972. With profound courage and a strong conviction in the Code of Conduct he escaped from an enemy prisoner of war camp, knowing that the odds of success were slight and that if recaptured he would receive torture and long periods in solitary confinement. The success of his escape was short lived, and he was recaptured and punished. This officer's actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military services and reflect great credit on him and the United States Army.
1950-1950, 61st Infantry Regiment
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Currently the 61st Infantry is a single basic training battalion located at Fort Jackson, SC. The battalion has its orgin as crack river crossing unit in WWI. During the Vietnam War the 1st Battalion, 61st Infantry was part of a brigade assigned to the 5th Infantry Division (Mech) that operated in I Corps in the DMZ area of South Vietnam. The 5th Division was under the command of the 3rd Marine Division which the 61st fought numerious battles with the 9th Marines, the "Walking Dead."The nickname "Roadrunners" originated during its early days of the Vietnam War. due to it being a mechanized infantry unit that went into battle on armored personnel carriers.
